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* Lagerstroemia indica* (Lingwei, Crape Myrtle)

Taste: sour; Nature: slightly cold; Toxicity: non-toxic. Primarily treats various residual ailments in women after childbirth and lactation, metrorrhagia (abnormal uterine bleeding), zheng zha blood obstruction (abdominal masses and amenorrhea), alternating chills and fever with emaciation, and calms the fetus.

Stems and leaves: Taste: bitter; Toxicity: non-toxic. Primarily treats wei jue (limb flaccidity and inability to walk), and tonifies qi. Also known as Lingtiao, also known as Hua. Grows in the rivers and valleys of Xihai and on the sunny slopes of mountains.

Tao Hongjing stated: Li Yun considered this to be the root of *Dianthus superbus* (Qumai), which is now rarely used in prescriptions. *Bowuzhi* states: Hao Huixing traveled north of the Taihang Mountains and obtained *Lagerstroemia* flowers, claiming they must be extraordinary. However, *Dianthus superbus* flowers are lovely yet ubiquitous, so they should not be restricted to the Taihang Mountains. Furthermore, *Lagerstroemia* is a tree, so its stems and leaves are likely not the roots of *Dianthus superbus*. The *Classic of Poetry* states: "The flowers of the Lingtiao." Guo Pu's annotation identifies it as Lingxiao, which is also likely incorrect. The *Tang Bencao* annotation states: This is indeed the flower of *Campsis grandiflora* (Lingxiao). Both stems and leaves are used. According to *Erya · Shi Cao*: "Tiao, also known as Lingtiao. Yellow flowers (pronounced bi yao qie); white flowers." Guo Pu said: Also known as Lingshi. Also named Lingxiao. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: Also known as Lingtiao. Hua refers to the flower, not the root. There are also white-flowered varieties in the mountains. *Dianthus superbus* flowers are red, without yellow or white varieties. Moreover, both *Lagerstroemia* and *Dianthus superbus* are recorded in the *Bencao Jing*. If *Dianthus superbus* root were used as *Lagerstroemia*, why would stems and leaves also be used? Their physical properties and natures differ significantly, and their habitats are unrelated. Guo Pu's identification as Lingxiao is the correct explanation. Ministers Yuxi et al. carefully consulted *Yaoxing Lun*: Zichen, also known as Nwei, fears halogen salts, taste sweet. Primarily treats wind-heat wind epilepsy, difficulty in urination and defecation, intestinal stagnation, stops postpartum erratic bleeding and dripping, and calms the fetus. Rihuazi stated: Roots treat wind-heat body itching, wandering wind urticaria, and leukorrhea due to blood stasis. Flowers and leaves have similar functions. It also stated that *Campsis grandiflora* flowers treat rhinophyma, heat-toxin wind thorns, female blood diaphragm wandering wind, and metrorrhagia with leukorrhea.

*Tujing* states: *Lagerstroemia* is Lingxiao flower. It grows in the rivers and valleys of Xihai and on sunny mountain slopes, but is now found everywhere, mostly in mountains, and also cultivated in gardens. Initially growing like vines, it relies on large trees, and over years extends to the top to bloom. Its flowers are yellow-red, blooming abundantly in summer. Tao Hongjing stated: The *Classic of Poetry* mentions "flowers of Tiao." Guo Pu called it Lingxiao. Su Gong cited *Erya · Shi Cao*: "Tiao, Lingtiao." Guo Pu said also named Lingxiao. According to current annotations of *Erya*: "Tiao, also known as Lingshi." The Materia Medica lacks mention of Lingxiao; could there be differences between ancient and modern transmitted texts? Lu Ji and Kong Yingda's commentaries also state: "Tiao, also known as Lingshi." Lingshi is another name for *Salvia miltiorrhiza* (or similar sage species), and Guo Pu referred to Tiao as Lingshi. The Materia Medica states that current *Lagerstroemia* does not have the name Lingshi, whereas *Salvia* does. Thus, Tao Hongjing and Su Gong confused Lingshi with Lingxiao. Furthermore, Lingxiao is not a herbaceous plant, further clarifying their error. Currently, physicians often dry its flowers for use in formulas for female metrorrhagia and wind-toxin drugs, and also treat young girls' wind-heat toxin causing urticaria on limbs and skin. Bingxing Jingmai Fang: Lingxiao flowers, any amount, pounded and sifted into powder. Take 2 qian each time, mixed with warm wine, taken before meals for great efficacy.

Doumen Fang: Treats sudden deafness. Crush fresh Lingxiao leaves to extract natural juice, instill into the ear until healed.

*Yanyi* states: *Lagerstroemia* currently grows by spreading, thus called a herb. Yet it has a woody stem, thus called a tree. It requires support to climb. However, the trunk does not die back in winter, possessing more characteristics of wood, so classifying it in the Wood section is most appropriate. Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi wrote about Lingxiao: "A tree named Lingxiao, rising gracefully not standing alone," further confirming it is not a herb. The *Bencao Jing* also states: Stems and leaves taste bitter, clearly distinguishing it from *Dianthus superbus*. The *Tang Bencao* annotation states: Since both *Lagerstroemia* and *Dianthus superbus* are in the *Bencao Jing*, if *Dianthus superbus* root were *Lagerstroemia*, why use stems and leaves? This argument is conclusive. However, its flowers are ochre-yellow. Although the main entry doesn't mention flowers, it mentions stems and leaves taste bitter, implying *Lagerstroemia* refers to the flower, which can be deduced.